Taking the citizenship test is one of the final steps in becoming a Canadian citizen. Canada’s citizenship test evaluates your knowledge of Canada’s history, geography, economy, government laws, and symbols. Well, this blog covers how you can prepare for the Canadian Citizenship Test.

So, without further ado, let us begin!

How Is The Canadian Citizenship Test Conducted? 

You can take a citizenship test in either English or French. The test is 45 minutes long. 

Most applicants take the citizenship test online. 

If you have issues with accessibility, assessing the Internet, or removing a face covering, you might ask to take the test in another format. 

The test features 20 questions, all of which are multiple-choice or true-or-false. To pass, you must answer a minimum of 15 questions correctly. 

If you do not pass, you get two more attempts within 30 days. If you fail all three attempts, you will be invited to a hearing with a citizenship official. 

According to an access to information and privacy report released earlier this year, the Canadian citizenship test had a pass rate of 92% from January 1, 2022, to June 14, 2024. 

The median time to complete the test was 12 minutes.  

Who Is Eligible To Take The Canadian Citizenship Test? 

In order to prepare for the Canadian citizenship test, you must know if you are eligible or not. 

Well, you have to meet the eligibility criteria, which includes having: 

  • Become a Canadian permanent resident
  • Lived in Canada for three out of the last five years
  • Filed your taxes
  • Proven your language skills

Note that in case of temporary residents or protected persons, every day spent in Canada counts as a half day for the physical presence requirement, up to a maximum of 365 days. 

Whether you need to take the test also depends on your age. You have to take the Canadian citizenship test if you are between 18 and 54 years old on the day you sign your application. 

Those under 18 or over 54 do not have to take the test but might be invited to an interview in some cases. 

Once you have submitted a citizenship application, IRCC usually sends an acknowledgment of receipt (AOR) letter or email after ensuring it is complete. 

About a week after you have obtained your AOR, you can expect to obtain an invitation to schedule your test.

If you have shared your email address in your application, you can expect your invitation to arrive by mail. 

How Do I Prepare For The Canadian Citizenship Test? 

In order to prepare for the Canadian citizenship test, you can use the official study guide ‘Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship’ to study for the test. 

You can choose to:

  • Read it online
  • Listen to an MP3 version
  • Download the PDF or ebook
  • Order a copy of the study guide 

How much time it takes to study for the test can vary according to your learning style, prior knowledge of the subject, and study habits. 

Once you have familiarized yourself with the material, you can take practice tests with sample questions available online. 

While the Government of Canada does not officially offer practice tests, some are available online that mimic the format of the Canadian citizenship test, helping you become more familiar with the material and confident.

Some examples include those by Citizenship Count and the Richmond Public Library. 

What To Expect On The Day Of The Test? 

Before The Test  

Decide when you want to have the test. After you receive the invitation, you can take the online test within a 30-day period. Within this period, you have up to three chances to pass the online test. 

Make sure you have everything you need for the test. You will need: 

  • Identification
  • A compatible browser and device
  • A reliable internet connection
  • A working webcam
  • A proper location to take the test 

During The Test 

  • Ensure that your webcam is turned on and your face is completely visible. 
  • Remove items with your personal information from the webcam’s view.
  • Close other tabs, windows or programs and turn off VPN.
  • Store away any other electronic devices you have with the Internet. 
  • Do not consult with other people or other sources of information. 

After The Test 

After you have submitted your online test, your test result will be automatically generated. 

Your official test results will be reviewed and confirmed in the upcoming months, with instructions on how to proceed. 

If you have passed, you will be contacted with your next steps, which include: 

  • An interview with a citizenship official
  • The Canadian citizenship ceremony 

You might or might not be required to undergo an interview with a citizenship official. IRCC decided whether or not to require interviews on a case-by-case basis. 

At the Canadian citizenship ceremony, you will sing the Canadian national anthem and take the Oath of Citizenship. Upon taking the Oath, you become a Canadian citizen.

If you seek information on how to begin your Canada immigration application process, you can talk to our NavaImmigration experts at 1800-918-8490, or you can drop us an email at [email protected].